The nurse’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive meta-synthesis in the year of the nurse

This article was originally published here
J Nurs Scholarsh. November 5, 2021. doi: 10.1111 / jnu.12706. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Since its debut in China in December 2019, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has spread and quickly became the center of nursing care and conversation across the world (WHO, 2020). This meta-ethnographic study was conducted with the aim of providing the nursing profession with interpretive explanations of a common experience in the care of patients with COVID-19.
DESIGN AND METHOD: A review of the literature focusing on the nurse’s experience during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a total of 13 qualitative studies conducted in China, Spain, Turkey, Iran, Brazil and the United States. United States. A meta-ethnographic review of this qualitative work, using the Noblit and Hare method, was then conducted which revealed the nurse’s experience across the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESULTS: The review revealed strong similarities between the nurse’s experiences in the 13 studies. Given this reciprocal relationship, translations were constructed and synthesized until the emergence of four new themes describing the overall nurse experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions: Despite the differences in the health care and government structures of the six countries represented in this meta-ethnography, the nursing experience emerged in a narrative shared by those represented in this study. As the nursing profession continues to cope with the continuing waves of COVID-19, these findings will help guide the resources and training provided to nurses on the front line of care.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite great personal risk, nurses around the world have risen to the challenge of maintaining and improving the health of the world’s population during the COVID-19 pandemic. As leaders in health policy, education and the system, we must listen to the common experience revealed in this meta-synthesis and respond by providing the resources necessary to improve nursing practice and care.
PMID: 34738314 | DOI: 10.1111 / jnu.12706